Method of playing a poker type card game

ABSTRACT

A method of playing a poker type game uses a standard deck of 52 playing cards. The deck includes four suits and thirteen sets of four ranging from two through ace. The game is played by dealing four cards to each of six or seven players&#39; locations and four cards to the dealer location on a specially adapted gaming table. Each player and the dealer then separate their cards into three hands, a high hand, a medium hand and a low hand, in accordance with a predetermined hierarchy or ranking of the hands, or at the preference of the player. In order to win, each of the players must beat the dealer two out of three hands or all three hands. For example, a player&#39;s high and medium hands must beat the dealer&#39;s high and medium hands, medium and low hands must beat the dealer&#39;s medium and low hands, or high and low hands must beat the dealer&#39;s high and low hands, or the player must beat all three high, medium, and low hands. For the dealer to win, he or she must beat a player two out of the three or all three hands. If there is an identical hand, a copy, the dealer wins. In addition, irrespective of the two or three-out-of-three outcome, players are paid for premium four-card poker hands.

PRIOR APPLICATION

Applicant claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application 60/900,352, filed on Feb. 9, 2007.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Although the game of Pai Gow Poker, frequently referred to as Asian Poker, has been around for many years, it has only recently gained widespread acceptance in gambling casinos throughout the United States. As is well known in the art, the game is played with either tiles or with a standard deck of 52 playing cards. In some versions of the game, a joker is also utilized, although the same normally can be used to represent only a limited number of cards such as an ace or as part of a straight or flush. Poker rankings (the poker value of a given hand, i.e. one pair, two pair, straight, flush, three of a kind, full house, straight flush, four of a kind, royal flush) in Pai Gow Poker are substantially the same as the rankings in other types of poker games.

Pai Gow Poker is typically played in a casino at a table much like that utilized for blackjack or baccarat or the like. That is, there is a dealer positioned and six or more player positions equally spaced around the perimeter of the table. At each player position, there are normally markings or indicia for the dealer's high and low hands and a area for each player to place his or her ante or bet.

The game is typically started by each player placing a bet. The dealer then deals seven cards to himself and to each of the player positions. Each player, including the dealer, then forms two hands from his holding or seven cards. One hand, referred to as the low hand, consists of two of the dealt cards. The other hand, referred to as the high hand, consists of the remaining five cards that were dealt to that player. The only requirement in forming the high and low hands is that the low hand must be of a lower rank than the high hand. In conventional Pai Gow, the ranking of the hands is similar to traditional poker with the exception, as pointed out above, that the joker can be used to represent an ace or to represent any one card of either a straight or a flush. Thus, the highest possible hand is five aces.

If the player's low hand and high hand are higher in rank than the low and high hand of the dealer, the player is a winner and the dealer loses. However, if the dealer's hands are higher than the player's, the player is a loser and the dealer wins. The dealer's hand is normally considered to be the winner in the event of a tie.

If the player's low hand is of a higher rank than the dealer's low hand, but the player's high hand is of a lower rank than the dealer's high hand, neither wins and there is considered to be a push. Similarly, a push exists when a player's low hand is of a lower rank than the dealer's low hand and the player's high hand is of a higher rank of the dealer's high hand. There is no winner when a push exists.

Thirteen cards is another popular game which has been played in California casinos for approximately ten years. In Asia, thirteen cards has been played for many years, especially in Vietnam and China, mostly among friends or at the parties, holidays and the new-year. Thirteen cards also uses a standard deck of 52 playing cards. The object of the game is for the bettor to successfully wager. The bettor receives thirteen cards, and then separates his or her cards into three hands, two five card hands and one-three card hand, one-five card hand high, one-five card hand medium and one-three card hand low. All players then set the hands face down on the table. The dealer also separates the cards into three hands, five card high, five card medium and three card low. After the dealer completely separates the cards into three card hands on the table, he then checks the player's cards. To win, a player must beat two out of three or all three of dealer hands. To win, the dealer must also beat the player two out of three or all three hands. The player's high hand must compare to the dealer's high hand, the player's medium hand must compare to the dealer's medium hand, and the player's low hand must compare to the dealer's low hand. As before, the same ranking (a copy) makes the dealer a winner.

In the game of thirteen cards, the highest of a five card high hand and a five card medium hand is royal flush. A royal flush beats a straight flush, a straight flush beats four of a kind, four of a kind beats a full house, and so forth, just like traditional poker. In the three card low hand, the highest hand is three of a kind. Three of a kind beats a pair and a pair beats no pair, high ranking card beating low ranking card. If two hands are identical, the ranking card is the copy hand and the dealer wins. Straights or flushes do not apply in the three card hand.

While thirteen cards is relatively easy to play, this game is only win or lose. As a result, there is a need for a casino card game that combines the intricacies and mental challenge of Pai Gow, with the three hands of thirteen cards. Such a game would encourage the players to play and to play longer. This would also result in increased revenues for the casino or other gaming establishments.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a method of playing a poker type game which uses a standard deck of 52 playing cards. The deck includes four suits and thirteen sets of four ranging from two through ace. The game is played by dealing four cards to each of six or seven players' locations and four cards to the dealer location on a specially adapted gaming table. Each player and the dealer then separate their cards into three hands, a high hand, a medium hand and a low hand, in accordance with a predetermined hierarchy or ranking of the hands, or at the preference of the player. In order to win, each of the players must beat the dealer two out of three hands or all three hands. For example, a player's high and medium hands must beat the dealer's high and medium hands, medium and low hands must beat the dealer's medium and low hands, or high and low hands must beat the dealer's high and low hands, or the player must beat all three high, medium, and low hands. For the dealer to win, he or she must beat a player two out of the three or all three hands. If there is an identical hand, a copy, the dealer wins. In addition, irrespective of the two or three-out-of-three outcome, players are paid for premium four-card poker hands.

The novel features which are considered as characteristic of the invention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. The invention, itself, however, both as to its design, construction and use, together with additional features and advantages thereof, are best understood upon review of the following detailed description with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a gaming table on which the game of the present invention can be played.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of a player's station of the gaming table on which the game of the present invention can be played.

FIG. 3 is a chart showing representative payout odds.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The game of the present invention is played with a standard deck of 52 cards, thirteen cards, ranking for two through ace, in each of four suits, hearts, diamonds, spades and clubs.

The game is preferably played at a gaming table 2, such as is shown in FIG. 1, which may closely resemble a blackjack or baccarat table. Table 2 has six player stations 4-9 and dealer station 10. It is contemplated that table 2 can have greater or lesser number of player positions as well. Rack 11 provides a station for the decks of cards to be used or discharged.

Individual player's station 4 is representative and is shown more particularly in FIG. 2. Station 4 has designations on gaming table 2 for low hand 12, medium hand 14, and high hand 16. Ante designation 18, bonus designation 19 and copy hand designations 20, 22, and 24 are also provided on table 2. Dealer station 10, shown in FIG. 1, also has designations on table 2 for low hand, medium hand, and high hand.

After the cards are shuffled and prepared by the dealer, wages are placed by each of the players on ante designations 18 and if desired on bonus designations 19 and copy hand designations 20, 22, and 24. The first player or dealer to receive the first set of cards is preferably determined by throwing three dice. The seven positions around the table including the dealer position would be numbered 1-7 starting at the dealer. Accordingly, for example, if the three dice total eight or fifteen, the dealer would receive the first set of cards. Thereafter, the cards would be dealt around table 2 in a counterclockwise direction with each player position receiving four cards. This would leave twenty-four cards which would be locked up, i.e. discarded into discard rack 11. To ensure a proper card count, four cards are dealt to each player position, including the dealer, whether or not a player has placed a bet at that position. After the cards are dealt, however, cards at the player positions where there are no wagers may be locked up before play continues.

After the cards are dealt, each player separates his or her four cards into three hands: a two card hand, and two one card hands: a high hand, a medium or mid hand and a low hand. The hierarchy or ranking of the hands can be determined according to a predetermined “house rule” order, which is the most aggressive and accordingly the optimum strategy for the game, and which will be explained hereinafter. Dealers must set their cards according to the “house rules.” Alternatively, however, players are free to adhere to the house rules or not. They are subject only to the requirement that the poker ranking of the high hand exceeds that of the mid hand, and the poker ranking of the mid hand exceeds or equals that of the low hand. Violating this rule results in a “fouled hand.” In the preferred implementation, such a setting will cause the hand to lose automatically to the dealer. However, at its discretion, a casino may establish a rule declaring the hand to be required to be reset in conformity. As in traditional poker games, aces rank high for comparison purposes.

After the hands are set, the players place their respective cards on low hand 12, mid hand 14 and high hand 16 designations on table 2. The dealer then exposes his or her four cards and similarly separates the four cards into three hands, a two card hand and two one card hands, following with the house rules, and places them on the appropriate designations. The dealer then exposes each player's hand one at a time in the counterclockwise direction. If the player loses, the wager is taken. If the player has two pair, three of a kind or four of a kind, he or she is paid for such premium four-card hands at the table payout schedule, whether the player wins or loses the primary wager. Then the cards are locked up. If the player wins, the cards will remain face up until all players' hands have been read. After all hands have been read, the dealer will go back and pay all winning wagers one at a time, picking up the cards after payment has been made. Again, as to same ranking hands with the dealer, the players lose.

As described previously, the ranking of the hands is determined, for the dealer, by “house rule” order and can be required or made an option for the players. The “house rule” order is set forth below:

1) No pair:

-   -   a. high hand—highest and lowest ranks     -   b. medium hand—second highest ranks     -   c. low hand—remaining card, third highest rank

2) One pair:

-   -   a. If the pair is the highest rank in the hand—it is split         between the high hand and the medium hand:         -   1. High hand—highest and lowest ranks (highest is one of the             pair)         -   2. Medium hand—second card from the pair         -   3. Low hand—remaining card, third highest rank     -   b. If the pair is not the highest rank in the hand—the pair is         kept intact as the high hand:         -   1. High hand—pair         -   2. Medium hand—highest rank         -   3. Low hand—remaining card         -   3) Two pair:     -   a. High hand—lower-ranked pair     -   b. Medium and low hands—one each from the high-ranked pair         -   4) Three of a kind:     -   a. High hand—pair formed from two of the cards in triplet     -   b. Medium hand—higher-ranked of the two remaining cards could be         the third card in the triplet or the kicker     -   c. Low hand—remaining card, lowest rank in the hand         -   5) Four of a kind:     -   a. High hand—two cards from the four of a kind     -   b. Medium and low hands—one of each from the four of a kind

For purposes of the game of this invention, the following is the ranking of two cards in the high hand: A/A, K/K, Q/Q, J/J, 10/10, 9/9, 8/8, 7/7, 6/6, 5/5, 4/4, 3/3, 2/2. If there is no pair, the highest ranking card prevails. The following is the ranking of one card in the medium and low hands: A, K, Q, J, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2.

As can be seen, the highest or two card hand consists of a pair. Within that category, two aces is the highest of the hand which beats two kings which, in turn, beats two queens, etc. The lowest of a pair is deuces. Then deuces beat all single ranking cards. As always, each players' two card hands must compare with the dealer's two cards hand, players' one card (medium) hand must compare with dealer's one card (medium) hand and players' one card (low) hand must compare with dealer's one card (low) hand to determine winners.

Representative examples of winning and losing hands are as follows:

Two cards or high hand:

-   -   Player has A+8 and dealer has K+9: player wins because of higher         ranking     -   Player has K+9 and dealer has Q+9: player wins because of higher         ranking     -   Player has K+8 and dealer has K+8: dealer wins because of same         ranking (copy)     -   Player has Q+9 and dealer has K+9: dealer wins because of higher         ranking

One card or medium and low hands:

-   -   Player has A and dealer has K: player wins because of higher         ranking     -   Player has A and dealer has A: dealer wins because of same         ranking (copy)     -   Player has K and dealer has A: dealer wins because of higher         ranking

Again, to win the game, either players or dealers must beat the opponent two out of the three hands or all three hands. The dealer wins also all identical (copy) hand.

The criteria for the various wagers in the game of the present invention is as follows:

(1) Hand bets: Players who have the best two- or three-out-of-three against the dealer win their Hand bets at even money. In addition, irrespective of the two- or three-out-of-three outcome, players are paid for premium four-card hands. In the preferred implementation, the payoff schedule is 1-to-1 for two pairs, 3-to-1 for triplets, and 100-to-1 for quads, as shown in chart 40 in FIG. 3. Other schedules can be selected at the discretion of casino management, and will affect the edge on the primary game.

(2) Copy bets: Players can bet that copies will occur on any or all of the three tiers. In the preferred implementation, payoffs are 60-to-1 for bets on the high tier and 10-to-1 for bets on the mid and low tiers, as shown in chart 40. Other schedules can be selected at the discretion of casino management, and will affect the edge on the Copy bets for the respective tiers.

(3) Bonus bets: Players can make side bets that they will receive premium four-card poker hands. These bets will be decided independently of those on Hand or Copy. In the preferred implementation, payoffs are 1-to-1 for pairs, 2-to-1 for two pairs, 4-to-1 for straights, 6-to-1 for flushes, 12-to-1 for triplets, 250-to-1 for non-royal straight flushes, 500-to-1 for quads, and 1,000-to-1 for J-Q-K-A royals, as shown in chart 40. Other schedules can be selected at the discretion of casino management, and will affect the edge on the Bonus bet. Aces can form low as well as high straights and straight flushes.

Certain novel features and components of this invention are disclosed in detail in order to make the invention clear in at least one form thereof. However, it is to be clearly understood that the invention as disclosed is not necessarily limited to the exact form and details as disclosed, since it is apparent that various modifications and changes may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. 

1. A method of playing a poker type card game for at least one player playing against a dealer using a standard deck of 52 cards, the method comprising the steps of: dealing four cards to each player in the game and to the dealer; separating the dealer's four cards into a high hand with two of the four cards, a medium hand with one of the four cards, and a low hand with the fourth card, the cards in each of the three hands being separated in accordance with designated house rules; separating the four cards of each player into three hands, a high hand with two of the four cards, a medium hand with one of the four cards, and a low hand with the fourth card, the cards in each of the three hands being separated in accordance with said designated house rules or at the preference of the player, such that the poker ranking of the high hand exceeds the poker ranking of the medium hand and the poker ranking of the medium hand exceeds or equals the poker ranking of the low hand; and comparing the poker rankings of the dealer's high hand, medium hand and low hand, with the poker rankings of the corresponding high hand, medium hand, and low hand of each of the players; and as between the dealer and each individual player, declaring that player a winner over the dealer if the poker rankings of two of the three hands or three of the three hands of the player are higher than the poker rankings of the corresponding three hands of the dealer, and as between the dealer and each individual player, declaring the dealer the winner over that player if the poker rankings of two of the three hands or three of the three hands of the dealer are higher than the poker rankings of the corresponding three hands of said player.
 2. The method of playing a poker type game as in claim 1 comprising the further step of declaring a winning hand on the part of the dealer if the corresponding hands of the player and dealer are the same poker ranking.
 3. The method of playing a poker type card game as in claim 1 comprising the further step of placing a wager on the winner, as between the dealer and each individual player.
 4. The method of playing a poker type card game as in claim 1 comprising the further step of placing a wager on the occurrence of the dealer and player having the same poker ranking in one or more corresponding hands.
 5. The method of playing a poker type card game as in claim 1 comprising the further step of placing a wager on the occurrence that the player will receive a premium poker hand from the four cards to which said player is dealt.
 6. The method of playing a poker type card game as in claim 5 wherein a premium poker hand is a hand which comprises a poker ranking of one pair or higher.
 7. The method of playing a poker type card game as in claim 1 comprising the further step of declaring a premium payoff for any player having a premium poker hand from the four cards dealt to that player.
 8. The method of playing a poker type card game as in claim 7 wherein the premium poker hand is a hand which comprises a poker ranking of one pair or higher.
 9. The method of playing a poker type card game as in claim 1 wherein the house rules state that if the four cards dealt to the dealer and the player are all different, the high hand must comprise the cards of highest and lowest rank, the medium hand must comprise the second highest rank card, and the low hand must comprise the third highest poker ranked card.
 10. The method of playing a poker type card game wherein the house rules state that if two cards of the four cards dealt to the dealer and player comprise one pair, the high hand must comprise one of the pair and the card with the lowest poker rank, the medium hand must comprise the second card from the pair, and the low tier must comprise the card with the third highest poker ranking, if the pair is the highest rank in the hand; and if the pair is not the highest poker rank of the four cards dealt to the dealer and player, the high hand must comprise said pair, the medium hand must comprise the highest poker rank of the remaining two cards, and the low hand comprises the remaining card.
 11. A method for playing a poker type card game as in claim 1 wherein the house rules recite that if the four cards dealt to either the dealer or player comprises two pair, the high hand must comprise the lower ranked pair and the medium hand and low hand must each comprise one card from the higher ranked pair.
 12. The method of playing a poker type card game as in claim 1 wherein the house rules recite that if either the dealer or player receive three of a kind of the four cards dealt to them, the high hand must comprise a pair formed from two of the cards in the triplet, the medium hand must comprise the higher poker ranked of the two remaining cards, and the low hand must comprise the lowest poker ranking card of the four cards dealt.
 13. The method of playing a poker type card game as in claim 1 wherein the house rules recite that if quads are dealt to either the dealer or the player, the high hand must comprise two of the four cards from the quad and the medium hand and low hand must comprise one each of the four from the dealt quad.
 14. The method of playing a poker type card game as in claim 1 comprising the further step of placing a wager on the winner, as between dealer and each individual player, prior to dealing any cards. 